Air Force B-1B strategic bombers arrive in the Baltics for NATO training – Stars and Stripes

Two B-1B Lancers arrived in the Baltics to work with NATO allies this week, marking the heavy bombers first flights to Europe in about 18 months.

After crossing the Atlantic, the Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.-based bombers flew with Danish F-16s over Bornholm Island, east of mainland Denmark, and worked with Estonian ground forces to provide close air support training, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Air Forces Africa said in a statement Wednesday.

The training also included overflights of Lithuania and Latvia.

Integrating bomber missions with our NATO allies and partners build enduring relationships that are capable of confronting a broad range of global challenges, said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, USAFE-AFAFRICA commander.

The strategic bombers participated in the Spring Storm military exercise, the Estonian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

It is important that our allies understand that security cannot be put on pause for the duration of the pandemic, Estonian Defense Minister Juri Luik said Tuesday, the Baltic Times newspaper reported.

The Lancers were last in Europe in November 2018 supporting NATOs Trident Juncture exercise.

Strategic bomber deployments to Europe have become more frequent in recent years, amid U.S. and European concerns about potential Russian aggression. In March, a flight of B-2 stealth bombers participated in a series of training operations on the Continent. And last August, the Air Force deployed a similar B-2 bomber task force to Europe.

The Air Force did not say how long the Lancers would remain in Europe.

The Europe mission for the variable-wing Rockwell jets came just after B-1B bombers from Texas flew to the Western Pacific region.

Four B-1Bs from Dyess Air Force Base arrived in Guam on Friday to conduct training and operations with allies and partners, the Air Force said.

svan.jennifer@stripes.comTwitter: @stripesktown

A B-1B Lancer from the 28th Bomb Wing out of Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, May 5, 2020.KELLY O'CONNOR/U.S. AIR FORCE

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Air Force B-1B strategic bombers arrive in the Baltics for NATO training - Stars and Stripes